The Catholic Church played a central role in colonial history. Through the “Doctology of Discovery”, a controversial legal principle rooted in the 15th century Pope Bull, once proved the colonization and forced conversion of indigenous peoples around the world, including Canada. Catholic missionaries usually collect thousands of items from indigenous communities without consent.
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These artifacts are now located in the Anima Mundi Museum of Ethnology in the Vatican. Many have profound cultural and spiritual significance for Métis, Aboriginals and Inuit.
Pope Leo Xiv unveiled his pope today in a large crowd at St. Peter’s Square. Among the 200,000 attendees, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Metis National Council President Victoria Pruden.
Indigenous leaders in Canada see this new beginning as a new beginning of action. “This is a critical opportunity,” said Lyndon Linklater, knowledge administrator for the Saskatchewan Treaty Commissioner’s Office. “The artifacts hold the voice of our ancestors. They should go home.” In 2022, Pope Francis acknowledged the harm caused by living in a school during a visit to Canada and promised to return the sacred objects. However, since then, progress has been slow.
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President Pruden today represented Métis in the Vatican, reaffirming the expectations of the community. “Returning items is not just symbolic, but restoring dignity and healing relationships,” she said.
Now, indigenous communities across Canada hope that Pope Leo XIV will fulfill the Vatican’s promise. While today’s inauguration marks a historic change in church leadership, many are watching closely to see if it will also bring the long-awaited justice.
